Angelina Film Beads

I love using Angelina Film for machine embroidery.  It gives a glossy, sparkly texture that is different from anything else.  And, always being thrifty, I like to save every little piece of leftover film.  Now I’ve discovered a fun way to use up those scraps and add another layer of texture and sparkle to my embroidered designs – beads!

These beads are so special!  They only take a tiny bit of Angelina Film, make a ton of beads, and look like carnival glass.  The best part is they can be cut with scissors to any size, can be washed and dried and no matter what you do to them-won’t break.  Perfect to add to machine embroidery!

So go gather your equipment and let’s make some beads.  Here’s what you’ll need:

1.     Heat Gun – you can use the embossing tool you bought when you were doing stamping OR they are also available at any hardware store for a minimal price OR ask a man in your life if he has one, chances are he does.

2.     Wooden Skewer – you can get these at the dollar store or the grocery store.  Basically they are a thin wooden stick used for kabobs.

3.     Angelina Film – you will need about a 1 ½” x 3” piece – you don’t need to be accurate (this makes it easy to use your scraps) 

Loosely wrap your Angelina Film around the wooden stick.  Turn on the heat gun and aim it on the Angelina Film.

 

The Film only bonds to itself so it will shrink down on itself and you will begin to see it crinkle and form kaleidoscope colors as it does.  As soon as it shrinks down its done, don’t apply too much heat or it will lose some of its glossy sheen.  

Slide off the skewer and cut into pieces with scissors.

 

Now you can stitch or glue to any of your creations.  You can even stitch through the beads without harming them, and you still get the look of carnival glass.  

Try all of the 18 different colors of Angelina Film, as each will give you a different look – I especially love the pink, purple, clear and copper shades.  And the best part is when you buy a roll of Angelina Film it is 4” x 3 feet, so if each skewer takes only 1 ½” of Angelina Film and cuts 10 to 20 beads, imagine the millions of beads you can make!!  So here’s to easy beading!  For more information on Angelina Fibers and Film (including great deals, ideas and tips and tricks) check out my website at www.cowgirlquiltdesigns.com and my friend Betty Blais’ website www.embellishmentvillage.com.